By: Brian Walters

With Clifford’s War: REDIVIVUS, author J. Denison Reed delivers a taut, emotionally charged thriller that both deepens and redefines the trajectory of his long‑running series. The novel marks the fourth installment in the Clifford’s War Saga—and while it may appear to close a chapter, it ultimately signals something far more powerful: a rebirth.

Picking up after the events of Without End, the story follows private investigator Clifford Dee as he is abruptly pulled from his Washington, D.C. based team and sent west to Colorado to assist an old acquaintance in locating missing family members. What begins as a seemingly routine case quickly spirals into something far more dangerous, drawing Clifford into a web of secrets, lies, and unresolved trauma that threaten to consume him.

A Series That Evolved—By Design

According to Reed, Clifford Dee’s journey was never rigidly mapped out from the beginning. Instead, the series evolved organically as the character developed across each installment. With REDIVIVUS, Reed set out to solidify the direction of the series while raising both the emotional and narrative stakes.

Even the title reflects that intention. Redivivus is a Latin word meaning “reborn,” a theme that echoes throughout the novel. The journey begins in Colorado—whose name translates to “Color Red”—and the story weaves together motifs of renewal, reckoning, and transformation. For longtime readers, the book feels grounded in what came before while boldly charting a new course forward.

From Familiar Case to Psychological Depth

At its core, REDIVIVUS uses a classic investigative framework—a missing‑persons case—as a gateway into deeper psychological and emotional territory. Clifford arrives in Colorado with limited information and no clear sense of what awaits him, tasked with helping Grace, a character first introduced in the series’ debut.

Originally conceived as a minor character, Grace’s return brings unexpected weight to the narrative. Her involvement not only expands the world of the series but also serves a crucial purpose: separating Clifford from his usual team and forcing him to operate without the structure he relies on. That isolation becomes the catalyst for much of the novel’s tension.

Trauma, Memory, and Narrative Craft

Trauma and memory play a central role in REDIVIVUS, particularly as Clifford confronts unresolved elements of his past. The novel includes a significant flashback to the early 2000s, when Clifford served as a Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Army—a period that continues to shape his present‑day choices.

Structurally, the series is written primarily in the present tense, lending immediacy and momentum to the action. When the story shifts into memory or flashback, the tense changes to past, clearly delineating earlier events. This narrative choice allows the novel to explore emotional depth without sacrificing pace or suspense.

Stripped of Structure, Forced to Adapt

By removing Clifford from Washington, D.C., and placing him in unfamiliar territory, REDIVIVUS challenges him in new ways. Without the immediate support of his team, he must rely more heavily on instinct, experience, and adaptability. Although his partner Bailey continues to monitor him remotely, the physical distance introduces new vulnerabilities.

Clifford also forms unexpected connections along the way, including Rox, who emerges as both an ally and a romantic interest. As the case unfolds, the risks become increasingly personal, underscoring how exposed Clifford truly is when operating alone.

A Turning Point for the Clifford’s War Universe

While REDIVIVUS is the fourth book in the Clifford’s War series, it is best understood not as a conclusion, but as a turning point. The novel reshapes the series’ trajectory and lays the groundwork for future stories and potential side narratives in the same universe.

Readers may find themselves lingering on the mystery, the emotional reckoning, or Clifford Dee’s evolution across the series. What remains clear is that Clifford’s War: REDIVIVUS sets a bold new direction, one that suggests Clifford’s most challenging and compelling journeys may still lie ahead.

 Clifford’s War: REDIVIVUS is now available on Amazon.